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The annual cavalcade of cars that is the Geneva Motor Show is under way and 2008 has shaped up to be no different from any other year. Numerous one-offs from various coachbuilders and designers as well as various boutique performance and tuner cars will be competing for attention with the usual echelons of production and concept debuts from established automakers.

Highlights of this years show at the Geneva Palexpo include a coupe/convertible of the European Ford Focus, the second-generation Infiniti FX crossover, Audi Q5 midsize crossover, and the convertible version of the BMW M3.

Audi claims that when it releases this 2.0-liter clean turbodiesel TT coupe and roadster in Europe, the TT 2.0 TDI will be the first production sports car to be offered with a diesel engine. Both diesel TT variants will be a little bit slower than their gasoline-powered counterparts, requiring 7.5 seconds to make the 0 to 60 mph sprint, but what they lack in speed is made up for at the pump. The coupe is said to be good for an average fuel economy rating of 44.4 mpg, with the roadster weighing in at 42.8 mpg due to slightly less efficient aerodynamics. The 2.0 TDI engine meets the upcoming Euro V standards, and should meet 50-state U.S. requirements too. Nevertheless, a production schedule is not yet available for Europe and there is no word whatsoever on whether the car will journey to our shores.

Audi’s gone and done it. After cramming its V-12 TDI diesel powerhouse engine into concept versions of both the Q7 (2007 Detroit show) and R8 (2008 Detroit), the automaker has decided to forge ahead with a production version of the Q7 called the Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro.

At the heart of the matter is Audi’s amazing, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter diesel producing an eye-popping 500 horsepower and 757 lb-ft of torque. Not surprisingly, all that power translates to 0-62 mph times around 5.5 seconds for the Q7 according to Audi, an impressive sprint for an SUV of its size. Top speed will be limited to 155 mph. Despite its sizzling performance, Audi says the V12 TDI is also fairly fuel efficient, achieving just short of 20 mpg in the Q7-equipped model.

The Audi R8 V12 TDI concept made its debut in Detroit to extremely favorable reviews. With its mid-mounted 500 horse, 738 lb-ft twelve-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine based directly on the motor found in Audi’s Le Mans winning R10 race cars, the concept drew a straight line from the race track to the road and left enthusiasts begging for a production version to put in their garages. We can’t see a whole lot of changes between the silver car shown in Detroit and this red and black Le Mans tribute version at Geneva, save for the color change and some chrome accents. Nevertheless, as a halo car for Audi and as a way of making the connection between the automaker’s epic race success and its road cars, Audi would be foolish not to churn out at least a limited number of R8 V12 TDIs for public consumption. Oh, and it’s Euro 6 compliant too. Green and fast — we like.

BMW is talking up its Vision EfficientDynamics concept, which is hitting the automaker’s stand at the Geneva Motor Show this year, as having the highest fuel economy ratings and lowest emissions of any four-wheel-drive SUV on the market.

The diesel-powered, X5-based concept reportedly delivers 43.5 mpg on the combined European cycle yet still scoots from 0 to 62 mpg in 8.9 seconds — a time that’s comparable to a similarly-equipped X5 as well as other competitors on the market, according to BMW. What makes the concept even more interesting is that most of its technology sounds production-ready.

The story starts with the 2.0-liter, twin-turbo diesel four that makes 204 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque between 2000 and 2250 rpm on its own. The engine is supplemented by a compact generator that is flange-mounted directly to the gearbox — an new eight-speed automatic unit developed by BMW in cooperation with ZF that we suspect will be finding its way into other Bimmers in short order. This mild hybrid arrangement, which employs a 120-volt lithium-ion battery beneath the rear storage area, is good for an extra 20 horsepower and about 155 lb-ft when accelerating, according to the automaker. BMW says the batteries could also be used to power systems such as air conditioning and is designed to work in tandem with the vehicle’s conventional 12-volt battery setup.

Like its M3 cousins, the 2009 BMW M3 convertible is powered by BMW’s 4.0-liter V-8 making 414 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3900 rpm, and it races from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds, according to BMW. Mated to the engine is a six-speed manual transmission or BMW’s new seven-speed Double Clutch Gearbox.

The Double Clutch Gearbox was designed specifically for high performance cars like BMW’s M line and comes with a number of customizable settings. Launch Control helps get all 414 horses to the ground effectively while five shift programs in the automatic mode and six shift programs in the sequentially shifted manual mode assure drivers get exactly the response they want.

Essentially our Chevy Aveo5 with two fewer doors, the three-door Aveo will be released with two engine choices: an 84 horsepower, 1.2-liter, four-cylinder unit or a 101 horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder unit. Even the interior is a carryover from the five-door variant, as is the massive front grille and non-functional side vents. We think the pop-open rear three-quarter windows are a cool touch on an otherwise pedestrian ride. Sales of the three-door Aveo are scheduled to begin in June in Europe.

The Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet completes the newly revamped European Focus lineup of three, four, and five-door wagon body styles. Like the last generation model, the new CC will be manufactured at Pininfarina’s Bairo plant.

The four-seater will come in three trim levels and with three different engines, including a 1.6-liter 100-horsepower Duratec four, a 2.0-liter Duratec 145-horsepower four, or a 136-horsepower Duratec turbodiesel. Whether in Trend, Sport, or Titanium trim levels, we still would not mind seeing a few CCs on our shores. Despite the unnecessary chrome trim on the upper lip of the grille, the hardtop convertible is especially fetching in dark red.

Fioravanti’s concept for this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the Hidra, looks remarkably similar to the Thalia, sans bubble roof. The overall shape, glass, door lines, front fender and waistline creases, and rear profile all bear more than a passing resemblance to last year’s Geneva entry. As another alternative power, five-door, four-seat multi-purpose coupe (MPC, as Fioravanti dubs it), there’s not a lot different in basic purpose from Thalia, that’s for sure. In any case, even if this is essentially a reworked Thalia, we like it much better without the controversial roof — the Hidra’s still featuring a good deal of transparency, for which the company says a patent is forthcoming.

Honda has introduced the all-new European-spec 2009 Honda Accord, a car that’s wider and lower than its predecessor. How is the Euro Accord relevant to us Americans? It’s essentially the same vehicle that carries the {{{Acura TSX}}} badge on our shores.

Power options will vary slightly from our TSX, with three powertrains available: a 148-horsepower, 258 lb-ft i-DTEC diesel motor (which should find its way into the TSX); a 154-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder motor; and a 197-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor (the TSX’s base engine). A six-speed manual is featured as standard on all three engines, with a five-speed paddle-shift automatic available on both gasoline motors. Manual equipped cars also feature a Shift Indicator Light that engages at the optimal shift points for fuel economy.

Fuel economy has never been one of Hyundai‘s strong suits, at least when compared to the sedans of rivals Honda and Toyota. The HED-5 concept seeks to change that. A six-seater, the HED-5 uses existing technology to reduce CO2 emissions up to 29 percent.

Hyundai stresses the environmentally-friendly HED-5 will not force serious compromises in price, performance, or driving enjoyment, and by the looks of the drawing, in space either. Materials and construction techniques were developed with companies like Recaro, Bayer, and LG. The concept introduces the latest in the series of superfluous environmentally-friendly catchphrases: Eco-dynamic vehicles. Individual details of this Eco-dynamic vehicle, we imagine, will make it to production Hyundais soon.

The design students at Italy-based Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) are coming back to Geneva, with a Maserati-inspired concept. Dubbed the Maserati Chicane, the full-scale model represents a 2+2 rear-wheel drive coupe, with a front-mounted V-8 engine. The concept is said to be smaller than the current production Maserati Gran Turismo, and is designed as an entry-level model for the Italian sports/luxury automaker’s lineup.

Based on the phrase “emotion at first sight,” the Maserati Chicane concept was conceived by students Dmytro Zubayairov and Oscar Palladino and chosen from 17 original entries to be displayed at Geneva. Among the jury members deciding the winner were Maserati Chief Designer Allessandro Dambrosio and Cesar Mendoza, the Turin IED director. IED is a prestigious European design school with numerous campuses in Italy.

The Maserati Chicane will be joined by a video presentation of the Maserati Sfida, a virtual concept designed as a two-door wagon.

These three Soul concepts — Soul Diva, Soul Burner, and Soul Searcher — are Kia‘s way of showing it can be playful and, more importantly, are “closely related” to a production car that will debut at the Paris Show in September.

All three are the same underneath all the flash, using a unitary steel bodyshell from the production model set for Paris. The concepts ride on a 100.4-inch wheelbase and are about 161 inches long, depending on the front and rear overhang. For comparison, the three-door pro_cee’d hatch has a 104.3-inch wheelbase and a total length of 167.3 inches.

If there’s one thing the world could use, it’s another limited-edition supercar with a seven-figure price tag. Well, that’s what Koenigsegg thinks anyway. And it’s kind of hard to argue after seeing pictures of their new CCX Edition and CCXR Edition models to debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show next week, what with their black carbon fiber bodies with red accents and carbon fiber wheels.

Oh, and then there’s the power aspect. The CCX Edition gets a supercharged 4.8-liter V-8 pumping out 888 horsepower, while the bad-boy CCXR makes 1018 horses from the same displacement, but with a higher compression ratio and running on ethanol. Both cars are capable of the same 2.9 second 0 to 62 mph runs, according to Koenigsegg, likely as a result of limited traction off the line. The gap broadens at higher speeds, however, as the CCXR hits 124 mph in 8.9 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the CCX. The CCXR also boasts a top speed of 250 mph that is 5 mph faster than its lesser-powered sibling.

Delta is an evocative name for Italian automaker Lancia. Conjuring up images of the first generation Lancia Delta Integrale – the turbocharged, all-wheel drive road car that was built to homologate Lancia’s rally car – it’s difficult to not associate Delta with the six consecutive WRC constructor’s championships Lancia won between 1987 and 1992. The second generation car was discontinued in 1999 – by then transformed into a bland, underpowered, front-wheel drive econobox.

With the recent success of the Fiat Group in reviving much of its tarnished image, Lancia will be reviving the Delta for 2009 with a package that is more about elegance than it is sport. Based on the Fiat Bravo platform, the new Delta features an interesting, if not pretty, five-door hatchback profile with all the LED lighting, chrome accent trim, and panoramic sunroof one could want. Three engines will be available from launch, from a 120 horsepower four-cylinder gas burner, to a 1.6-liter diesel. Later, a range-topping 1.8-liter turbocharged direct-injection 200 horsepower engine will be available. Six-speed manual or automatic transmissions are both available, and Lancia claims over 1,000 unique configurations with its numerous trim and specification options.

The big news for the 2008 Lotus Europa model is the inclusion of a range-topping SE trim level. Using the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the standard car, the Europa SE gets more power – 222 horses and 221 lb-ft – courtesy of a little recalibration of the engine management system. In addition to more power, the Europa SE is a bit more refined too. The suspension has been tweaked to provide more comfort, allowing it to be used as a daily driver with less sacrifice, and the interior is trimmed to a higher standard with four full leather hides being used in the process. AP Racing four-pot brake calipers and a premium stereo system seal the deal. The bad news? As its name would suggest, the Europa is still for Europe only.

The most noteworthy difference between standard and S GranTurismos is found in the engine bay. The 4.7-liter V-8 is now up to the same specification found in the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, which means a full 440 horsepower is on tap, compared with the standard GranTurismo’s 405 horses. An electro-actuated gearbox with Maserati’s MC-Shift technology sends the power to the GranTurismo’s rear wheels and is fitted to the rear transaxle, for optimal weight distribution. To cope with the added power, the same Brembo six-piston monoblock brakes found in the Quattroporte Sport GT S are found in Maserati’s super coupe as well.

The three-door variant of Mazda‘s not-for-the-U.S. subcompact hatch is making its world bow at Geneva. Like the five-door model, the three-door Mazda2 will be powered by a choice of 1.3- or 1.5-liter gasoline engines or a 1.4-liter turbodiesel.

The shorter, sportier-looking three-door model will be lighter and likely even more fun to drive, but also cheaper and easier to park. Though Mazda is standing by its assertion that the 2 is not coming to the U.S., the small Mazda does share its platform with the next-generation Ford Fiesta that’s bound for the U.S.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL features a revised exterior that trades the soft lines of the outgoing model for a crisply creased, more masculine presence that’s finding its way onto the new generation of Benz models. The front section is completely new, its pronounced V-shaped nose and larger radiator grille accentuating forward thrust and wide stance, arguably the most dynamic visual elements of a sports car. The single-bar grille, side air outlets, and power domes in the hood link the new look to past SLs, but the steeply sloping front end and new bi-Xenon headlamp clusters, as well as larger side mirrors and new taillamps, help bring the SL into line with Mercedes’s current design idiom.

It’s a big step beyond the understated, almost Q-ship approach of the recent past, but, important when dealing with a company treasure, the 2009 avoids any radical break from the SL’s evolutionary path.

Mitsubishi‘s Prototype-S concept features the automaker’s signature inverted trapezoidal grille, subtly flared fenders, and a well-integrated roof spoiler. The concept will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that produces 237 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque, according to the automaker. Mitsubishi’s Twin Clutch SST sequential manual transmission will send power to all four wheels, just as in the upcoming Lancer Evolution MR. Mitsubishi will also employ its Active Center Differential (ACD) which uses an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch to split power between the front and rear wheels for optimal traction.

As souped-up, five-door hatchbacks are all the rage — both stateside and across the pond — we think there could be production merits to the Mitsubishi Prototype-S concept.

The Life Car is Morgan’s extravagantly styled vision of a zero emissions vehicle that measures up to the company’s fun-to-drive standards. Making use of a fuel cell hybrid powertrain, the Life Car takes advantage of the vehicle’s supposed light weight to minimize fuel cell cost. Provided the driver does not have a lead foot, the Life Car has a 200-mile range.

Based on GM’s monocab design, the Meriva Concept features what GM calls FlexDoors, with the rear doors swinging open towards the back of the concept — not unlike the so-called “suicide doors” featured on some classic automobiles. The rear-hinged doors provide 90 degrees of opening and are said to offer easier ingress and egress from the vehicle. The front doors still open conventionally. The vehicle borrows styling elements from past Opel concepts, including the Flexstreme, with sharp side creases but a smooth overall profile. GM says the high roofline leads to improved headroom inside the Meriva Concept, while the relatively wide track provides more stable handling, as well as a dynamic appearance, according to the automaker. Somewhat interesting is the lower side window line, which drops sharply at the rear door in an effort to improve rear passenger visibility. Even if the Opel Meriva Concept doesn’t make it to production, we’ll be seeing elements of its design in future Opel, Vauxhall, and likely, Saturn products.

Pininfarina’s first concept in three years, the Sintesi is inspired as a halfway point between its spectacular 2005 Maserati Birdcage Concept and its 2004 Nido city car concept. Essentially, the Sintesi is designed to reflect both a sporty and a practical nature. The lower portion of the Sintesi’s nose mimics the Pininfarina-designed Ferrari Enzo with its F1-inspired triangular divot.

The sporty four-door seats four and has a long, rakish body that achieves a Cd of 0.27. Although the concept employs a Quadrivium Fuel Cell system with four fuel cells near the wheels, Pininfarina says the impact on cabin space is minimal. The concept uses a system of wireless connectivity, linking it to the town, the road, and other vehicles. Pininfarina claims that this system makes the concept safe enough that it could be designed without influence from “today’s bulky passive safety systems.”

Renault will be unveiling its first crossover, called the Koleos, at the Geneva Motor Show. A product of the alliance between Renault and Nissan, the Koleos is based on the same C 4×4 platform that underpins the {{{Nissan Rogue}}} and X-Trail and carries a shape similar to that of the Rogue.

At 178 inches long and 72.8 inches wide, the Koleos is shorter but wider than the Rogue. Sold in FWD or AWD configuration, the Koleos will be primarily available with a 148 horsepower 2.0-liter diesel mated to a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. There will also be a 169 horsepower 2.5-liter gasoline engine mated to either a six-speed manual or a CVT — the same engine that powers the Rogue. A 170 horsepower version of the 2.0-liter diesel will be available on AWD models only with a six-speed manual. The Nissan-developed AWD system sends all power to the front wheels under normal operation, with as much as 50% of the power sent to the rear wheels when necessary.

Subaru finally has a diesel — and it’s the first boxer turbodiesel in a passenger car. Ever. The diesel option not only gives the company a real presence in Europe, but the engine’s excellent fuel economy — near an estimated 50 mpg on the highway — will make it easier to comply with the upcoming CAFE legislation (even though it won’t be sold in America for another two years).

Powering the Legacy sedan/wagon and Outback trio is a 2.0-liter DOHC horizontally opposed flat-four common-rail diesel putting out 148 horses and 258 ft-lbs. (VW‘s 2.0-liter turbodiesel, coming later this year, provides 140 horsepower and 235 ft-lbs.) Its acceleration won’t break any records, but its excellent torque, available at a measly 1800 rpm, ensures that this car effortlessly goes up grades in fifth gear and has no trouble merging at freeway speeds. The boxer layout provides the same advantages as in Subaru’s gas-powered offerings: lower center of gravity, reduced vibration, and lighter weight.

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